Vending-machine.



PATBNTED AUG. 2, 1904.

w. H. PUMPHREY.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, 1904.

s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

"Z7 avwowtoz N0 MODEL.

PATENTBD AUG. 2, 1904.

W. H. PUMPHREY.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, 1904.

s an: S-SHBET 2.

no MODQEL.

No. 766,728. PATBNTED AUG. 2, 1904. W. H. PUMPHREY.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27. 1904.

no MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET a;

Patented August 2, 1904.

WALTER H. PUMPHREY, OF NETV YORK,

N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GUM AND SWVEETMEAT COMPANY, OF W'HITEPLAINS, NEVYORK, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW YORK.

VENDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,728, dated August2, 1904,

Application filed February 27, 1904. Serial No. 195,542. (No model.)

To all whom it TIL/Ly concern.-

Be it known that I, TVALTER H. PUMIHR EY, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county,and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to vendingmachines, and more particularlyto delivery mechanism for the same adapted to be manually operatedthrough the agency of a coin, as in machines of this class now in commonuse.

\Vhile the invention is not limited in its application as hereinembodied, it is specially adapted for use in connection with a type ofmachine for vending small packages or boxes containing gum, candy,matches. or the like.

Primarily the object of the invention is to avoid complication and highcost in the production of a machine and at the same time prevent lossthrough fraudulent manipulation, as frequently practiced, by means ofcounterfeit coins, washers, disks, and strips of paper and othermaterial, &c.

\Vith this object in view the invention consists in a delivery mechanismemploying a minimum number of parts arranged to cooperate in rendering amachine of this class practically fraud-proof.

The invention consists, further, in a coinchamber of peculiar formwhich, while serving to positively support the coin for a timesufficient to insure the delivery of the article from the magazine, willbe practically nonclogging and automatically cleared of any material, nomatter what the form, that may be inserted therein in an effort to beatthe machine.

The invention consists, further, in means for automatically locking thedelivery mechanism against movement and closing the entrance to thecoin-chamber when the magazine is empty as a protection to patronsagainst the loss of coins.

The invention consists, further, in various other features, which willbe hereinafter described.

The preferred forms embodying my invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawing-s; but it will be understood that I do not limitmyself to the same, as various modifications may be employed withoutdeparting from the principle of operation, result, &c.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of a vending-machineconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view ofthe moving parts thereof, shown in position about to deliver an articlefrom the magazine. Fig. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on thelines x of Fig. 1. Figs. & and 5 are detail views of the ejector and itsspring retaining-dogs. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a modifiedform of the springdogs. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the followerweightand the notched end of the ejector with which it cooperates. Fig. 8 isasectional view of a modification. Fig. 9 is a similar view of themoving parts representing the operation in delivering an article fromthe magazine, and Fig. 10 is a detail View showing the engaging end ofthe ejector in connection with the magazine.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents the outer casing of themachine, which may be given any size, form, &c., desired. As shown, itconsists of a box-like base portion 2 suitable for containing thedelivery mechanism, money-receptacle 3, &c. A column t, rising from thebase, incloses the stack or magazine 5, containing the articles to bevended. A delivery-chute 6 is provided, leading from the rear of themagazine to an opening 7 in the front of the casing.

Only one movement is illustrated in the drawings; but it will beunderstood that the machine may contain any desired number, each havinga separate magazine or magazinecompartment. Access to the magazine isprovided for by way of a removable door 8, projections on the lower endof which (not shown) may serve to lock the movement in the casing in theusual manner. The movement and magazine are preferablyremovable forconvenience in repairing, cleaning, 86C.

The delivery mechanism comprises, essena tubular guide 14:.

tially, two moving members, one an ejector 0 and the other an actuatingdevice therefor or coin-finder 10, such members being so relativelyarranged as to be operatively connected by an interposed coin.

The ejector consists, preferably, of a plate mounted to have areciprocating movement relatively to the magazine, the travel of theejector being such that on the forward stroke or when advanced towardthe magazine its free end will engage, preferably, the lowermost article11 therein and force the same into the delivery-chute. To effect thisresult, the movement of the ejector may be less, equal to, or greaterthan the length of the article delivered, depending upon theconstruction of the magazine. when the ejector is withdrawn from themagazine the article removed will be replaced by another11, forexamplethrough the action of a suitable device, such as thefollowerweight 12. Other forms of magazine may be employed, if desired,in connection with other feed devices, the type illustrated being wellklnown and in general use in machines of this 0 ass.

The coin-finder consists of a rod mounted to have a reciprocatingmovement parallel with the movement of the ejector. One end, 13, of thecoin-finder passes loosely through an opening 9 formed in the terminallug 9 of the ejector, and extends outward through an alined opening inthe casing to serve as a push-rod, being limited in its outward movementbya collar 9, fast thereon, which abuts against the inner face of theejector-lug. The

opposite end, 14:, thereof is preferably pointed and lies in a sheathformed by the bore of A retractile spring 15, encircling that portion ofthe rod between the collar and tubular guide, serves to return andyieldingly' maintain the coin-finder in the position shown in Fig. 1. i

As above stated, the engaging end of the coin-finder is pointed and, asshown, is given a plain taper shape; but it will be understood that itmay be of any other form desired, it being designed to readily puncturepaper, cardboard, or like material, and thereby defeat attempts tooperate the machine without first inserting the required coin.

Normally the coin-finder is movable inclependent of the ejector and hasafree and unobstructed path of travel back and forth.cen trally througha coin-chamber 16 of preferably circular cross-section the diameter ofwhich equals, approximately, the diameter of a predetermined coin,ordinarily a penny.

In order to prevent the coin-chamber from becoming clogged or choked bystrips, disks, &c., of paper and other material, such as is frequentlyinserted therein in an attempt to fraudulently operate the machine, theside walls and bottom of the chamber are cut away, leaving only two sideguides 17, which extend Upon the return stroke or' below the centersufficiently to provide support for a perfectly-formed coin, as shown inFig. 3.

Entrance to the coin-chamber is protected 7 by a slotted plate 18, whichserves as a gage in permitting the insertion of coins not exceeding thediameter and thickness of a penny, assuming the machine to be designedfor vending penny articles.

As a further protection against the use of disks or odd-shaped pieces ofthe required diameter or less which would pass the gage above referredto asecond gage is formed by the side supports at the point within thechamber where the inserted coin-piece first lodges, such supports beingentirely cut away, as at 19, for a distance slightly less than the thickness'of a penny, leaving only'a small projection 20 on each side wall atthe base of the arch. An unobstructed passage being thus provided,pieces less than the thickness of a penny would therefore pass entirelythroughthe chamber and into the money-receptacle below.

The ejector-plate extends below the gageplate as one wall or the coverof the coinchamher and is cut away at 21 in line with the gageslot toprovide passage for the coin, also to receive a cutting-blade 22, whichis preferably secured at an angle to give a draw out as the ejector isadvanced. The knife serves to cut a string attached to an inserted coin,a strip of paper, or if a strip of metal be inserted which is beyond thecutting power of the knife it will obviously check further movement ofthe ejector, and thereby prevent delivery of the article'from themagazine. 7

In order to operatively connect the coinfinder and the ejector throughan interposed coin, the ejector is provided with oppositelydisposedprojections 23 23, preferably shaped to conform to theside walls of thecoin-chamber 16. These projections serve as a movable end wall of thechamber and are relatively arranged to provide a peripheral bearing forthe coin throughout a portion of its circumference. When, therefore, thecoin-finder is pushed in and engages the coin lodged in the chamber, thecoinfinding a bearing on the depending projections of the ejectorimparts mo- IIO ITS

tion to the latter and advances it, as shown in Fig. 2, to effectdelivery of an article from the magazine. Upon releasing the coin-finderit is returned to normal position by the spring 15.

-It will be observed on referring to Fig. 2

that a full forward stroke of the coin-finder carries the coin throughand beyond the coinchamber, in which position it is held bybeing pressedagainst the depending projections '23 23 of the ejector by the pointedend of the tively to the movement of the ejector at each end of itstravel. As shown in Fig. 1, the coin-finder and coin are normallyseparated a suitable distance, and this intervening space must betraversed before'the pointed end of the finder engages the coin.Assuming this to have occurred, continued pressure on the push-rodcarries the ejector forward, as above described, to the positionrepresented in Fig. 2, and if now the push-rod be released it will havethe same lead on the back stroke, while the ejector remains at rest.During the time interval thus created the coin, being free to fall,drops into the money-receptacle below, and thereafter the collar 9" onthe coin-finder engages the lug 9 and returns the ejector to normalposition.

\Vhile the mechanism would operate perfectly without a resistanceopposing the movement of the ejector, it is found desirable to providesuch resistance in order to prey'ent possible operation and delivery ofarticles by first pushing in the coin-finder and then jolting themachine to advance the ejector. A simple form of device for this purposeis illustrated in detail Figs. 4 and 5 and consists of a spring-presseddog 24, arranged to enter a notch 25 in the ejector-plate and normallyexert its pressure lengthwise of such plate. Two of these dogs arepreferably employed, one on each side of the plate. As the ejector isadvanced in the operation of the machine the dogs are forced out of thenotches and thereafter exert a pressure transversely of the plate, thusreducing the resistance to its movement and requiring less effort on thepart of the operator in completing the stroke. On the return of theejector the dogs reengage the notches and assist more or less incompleting such return movement.

The particular form of resistance device employed is unimportant. Forexample, in Fig. 6 I have shown a piece of spring-wire encircling therod and having portions 21 bent up to cooperate with the notches of oneor more ejector-plates. A further modification of this feature isillustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. In this instance the ejector-plate istrunnioned at 26 and movable back and forth, supported by suchtrunnioned bearings. Normally the engaging end of the ejector, which isweighted or spring-pressed, is given an approximately T form and abutssolidly againstthe front face of the bottom wall 27 of the magazine,which is cut away centrally, as shown in Fig. 10, to allow theejector-plate to pass readily therethrough while the T- head thereofengages and pushes the lowermost article out of the magazine. Theopening in the terminal lug 9 at the opposite end of the ejector-plateis elongated to allow for the oscillation of the plate. In the operationof this movement continued pressure of the coin-finder after it hasengaged a coin first rocks the ejector until the T-head thereof rises tothe plane of the lowermost article in the magazine and thereafteradvances it to deliver the same, as represented in Fig. 9.

As a protection to patrons against the loss of coins the follower-weight12 in the magazine is designed to automatically lock the ejector-platein an advanced position, closing the coin-gage slot as the last articleis delivered, and for this purpose is provided with lugs 28 28, spacedand proportioned to enter the notches 25 25 thereof.

The coin-receptacle or money-box 3 herein employed is preferablyscoop-shaped, it being mounted on pivot-bearings 30 immediately belowthe coin mechanism and inclined to form the upper wall of thedelivery-chute. The receptacle is normally secured by links, hooks, orother suitable devices 31, with its free end above the chute-opening inthe front wall of the casing, the inner side of which is curved topermit the receptacle to swing in the rear of the same and form asufiiciently close joint to prevent the escape of coins. Thus arrangedthe receptacle discharges its contents into the chute when the hooks 31are disengaged and in opening outward permits inspection of the interiorthereof, also the ready removal of strips of paper or other material,such as are frequently inserted in machines of this class.

Having therefore described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto protect by Letters Patent, is

l. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, a gage controllingentrance of coins into the machine, a money-box, means providing adirect and unobstructed passage from the gage to the money-box forcoins, strips or other inserted pieces of a width, diameter or thicknessless than the dimensions of the gage, a second gage in the passageserving as a support for coins of predetermined diameter and thickness,and means for utilizing said lastmentioned coins to effect the deliveryof goods from the machine.

2. A vending-machine comprisingin its construction, a coin-gage, amoney-box, means providing a clear and unobstructed passage from thegage to the money-box for coins, strips or other inserted pieces ofwidth, diameter or thickness less than the dimensions of the gage, anangularly-disposed branch from said passage for coins of predeterminedsize, said branch passage being open at the bottom and providing lateralsupport only for coins passing through the same, and means for utilizingsuch coins to effect the delivery of goods from the machine.

3. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, a coin-gage, amoney-box, means providing a clear and unobstructed passage from thegage to the money-box for coins, strips or other inserted pieces ofwidth, diameter or thickness less than the dimensions of the gage, meansfor retaining coins of the dimensions of the gage at an intermediatepoint in the passage, ejector means for delivering goods from themachine, means for actuating the ejector through the medium of saidlastmentioned coins, and means for creating a time interval between themovement of the actuating means and the responsive movement of theejector.

4. Avending-machine comprising in its construction, an ejector, meansfor actuating the ejector through the medium of a coin, means forcreating a time interval between the movement of the actuating means andthe responsive movement of the ejector, means providing passage forcoins, strips or other inserted pieces of less than predetermined sizefrom the exterior of the machine to a money-box, an angularly-disposedbranch from the main passage for coins of predetermined size, saidbranch passage being open at the bottom and providing lateral supportonly for said coins.

5. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, the removablemagazine, the follower-Weight in the magazine, the reciprocating ejectorslotted for the passage of the coin and notched for engagement with thesaid follower-Weight, spring-pressed dogs normally engaging saidnotches, depending projections from the ejector providing peripheralsupport for an inserted coin, an open-bottom coinchamber, side lugsWithin the chamber shaped to sustain only coins of determined thickness,a coin-gage, a spring-retracted coin-finder having a pointed endcentered relatively to the coin-chamber, said finder being'mounted inthe machine-casing and passing. loosely through an opening in theejector, and a collar on the finder adapted to engage and return theejector to its normal position.

6. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, an ejector, aspring-clog adapted to oppose the. advance of the ejector and return thesame to its normal position, an ejector-actuating device, and meansforgiving the actuating device a lead relatively to the movement of theejector at each end of its travel.

7. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, a reciprocatingejector, a lockingdog Whose engaging end is movable through an arcintersecting the line of travel of the ejector, and a spring cooperatingwith the dog to oppose movement of the ejector in one direction.

8. A vending-machine comprising in its construction, a reciprocatingejector having shaped portions, a locking-dog normally engaging suchshaped portions of the ejector, and a spring cooperating with the dog tooppose the advance of the ejector and return the same to its normalposition.

Signed at New York, N. Y., this 6th day of February, 1904.

WALTER H. PUMPHREY.

